Pakistan backs diplomacy as fears of renewed Middle East war grow

• FM Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s push for peace through dialogue amid US-Iran deadlock

• Lebanon reports fresh Israeli airstrikes, artillery shelling in Bint Jbeil region

• Death toll in Israeli attacks on Lebanon rises to 2,659, health ministry says

• Pakistan-brokered ceasefire holds since April 8 amid stalled peace talks

• Strait of Hormuz disruptions continue to rattle global oil and gas markets

• Israel and Iran tensions raise fears of renewed escalation despite diplomatic efforts

ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to promoting diplomacy and constructive engagement to achieve peace in the region, amid a continued deadlock between the United States and Iran over ending the conflict, and rising tensions fuelled by ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

The situation further escalated as Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the Israeli army carried out an airstrike on Burj Qalawiya in the Bint Jbeil district, alongside artillery shelling in the same area. It also reported that Israeli forces set fire to multiple houses in the border village of Khiam.

Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Joz earlier today caused massive destruction to residential buildings.

Follow: https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/cpyvGRG87C

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) May 2, 2026

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, the death toll from Israeli attacks over the past two months has risen to 2,659, with 8,183 people wounded between March 2 and May 2.

💥 The Israeli army targeted the Kfar Jouz district in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh

▪️ A thick smoke rose from the area following the attack

📌 Despite the ceasefire reached on April 17, the Israeli army continues its strikes on the southern parts of Lebanon pic.twitter.com/WwSlzld34a

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 2, 2026

The wider Middle East conflict, which has significantly destabilised the region, began with coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, followed by the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The war has remained on hold since April 8 following a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, although diplomatic efforts have struggled to advance after one unsuccessful round of talks held in Pakistan.

The conflict has severely disrupted global energy markets, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies, and has triggered sharp volatility in international oil prices.

Dar telephonic talks with Kuwaiti FM

Against this backdrop, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Saturday to discuss the evolving regional situation and its broader economic implications, according to a statement posted by the Foreign Office on X.

DPM/ FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke today with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and exchanged views on its wider economic implications.

DPM/FM underscored… pic.twitter.com/U9xYLhvG5U

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 2, 2026

“During the talks, FM Dar underscored Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote constructive engagement and diplomacy in support of peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the Foreign Office said.

It added that the Kuwaiti foreign minister commended Pakistan’s “sincere efforts aimed at fostering lasting peace and security for the Ummah as well as the wider international community.”

Energy markets have meanwhile faced unprecedented pressure, with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz reportedly choking nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas flows and triggering a sharp rally in crude prices.

Iran has maintained control over key maritime chokepoints since the outbreak of the conflict, while the United States has imposed counter-measures targeting Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest negotiating proposal, as diplomatic efforts remain stalled despite the ongoing ceasefire.

Iran delivered its draft proposal to mediator Pakistan on Thursday evening, according to the state-run IRNA news agency, though details were not disclosed.

“At this moment I’m not satisfied with what they’re offering,” Trump told reporters, adding: “They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens.”

Trump says he's dissatisfied with Iran's latest proposal to end the war and says Tehran may never "get there" on a deal. Follow live updates. https://t.co/xSEvsabPe3 pic.twitter.com/y0nMTfwma8

— CNN (@CNN) May 1, 2026

He said discussions have continued via telephone after cancelling an envoy visit to Pakistan last week.

Meanwhile, concerns over renewed escalation briefly pushed global oil prices to a four-year high earlier this week amid reports of potential new military action.

Two senior Iranian sources told Reuters that Tehran has activated air defences and is preparing a broader response in case of an attack, assessing the likelihood of a short but intense US strike possibly followed by Israeli operations.

Separately, Israel’s military said its troops damaged a “religious building” in southern Lebanon, a claim that drew condemnation from a Catholic charity which identified it as a convent and alleged deliberate targeting of a place of worship.

The Israeli military said forces operating in Yaroun damaged a structure inside a religious compound while dismantling what it described as “terrorist infrastructure”.

“It was determined that during the forces’ operations to destroy terrorist infrastructure, one of the houses located in a religious compound was damaged,” Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X.

He added: “There were no visible signs indicating this was a religious building.”

The military said once identifying features were observed on another structure, troops took steps to prevent further damage to the compound, citing Hezbollah rocket activity launched from the area despite the ceasefire.

Lebanon’s National News Agency also reported continued Israeli strikes in Burj Qalawiya and renewed shelling in Bint Jbeil, along with arson attacks on homes in Khiam, underscoring persistent cross-border tensions despite the ceasefire framework.

Iranian proposal rejected by Trump would open Hormuz strait before nuclear talks, Iran official says

An Iranian proposal so far rejected by US President Donald Trump would open shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade of Iran while leaving talks on Iran’s nuclear programme for later, Reuters quotes a senior Iranian official as saying.

Iran briefs foreign envoys in Tehran about new proposal on ending US-Israeli warhttps://t.co/S6dbZCMim0 pic.twitter.com/eikygCasVY

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) May 2, 2026

Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential diplomacy, the senior Iranian official said Tehran believed its latest proposal to shelve nuclear talks for a later stage was a significant shift aimed at facilitating an agreement.

Under the proposal, the war would end with a guarantee that Israel and the US would not attack again. Iran would open the strait, and the US would lift its blockade.

Future talks would then be held on curbs to Iran’s nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions, with Iran demanding Washington recognise its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, even if it agrees to suspend it.

“Under this framework, negotiations over the more complicated nuclear issue have been moved to the final stage to create a more conducive atmosphere,” the official said.

 US public should hold government to account over war, Iran says

Americans have the “undeniable right and the solemn duty” to demand accountability from the Trump administration over the US-Israeli “war of choice” on Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has said.

“It is beyond dispute that the US administration’s ‘war of choice’ against Iran was a clear, unprovoked act of aggression,” Baqaei said on X.

It is beyond dispute that the U.S. administration’s “war of choice” against Iran was a clear, unprovoked act of aggression.

The American public has both the undeniable right and the solemn duty to demand accountability from their ruling authorities for waging this illegal war… pic.twitter.com/VpOJ0tSwIc

— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) May 1, 2026

He posted footage of US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at a recent Senate hearing amid mounting criticism of the war, saying, “We did not have any evidence that Iran intended to imminently attack this country in any way, shape or form.”

Iran says 'ball in US court', but ready for talks or war

Iran says it is up to the United States whether or not to pursue a negotiated settlement or to return to open war, noting Tehran is ready for either outcome, AFP reports.

“Now the ball is in the United States’ court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach,” Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi tells diplomats in Tehran, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

“Iran, with the aim of securing its national interests and security, is prepared for both paths,” he says.

Iran prepares law to manage Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hamidreza Haji-Babaei, says a new law will prevent Israeli ships from passing through the vital maritime route at any time, according to Al Jazeera.

He also says the bill will prevent ships from hostile states from passing through the strait unless the countries pay war reparations. However, it allows other ships to pass through after obtaining permission and approval from Iran.

“Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to what it was before the war,” Haji-Babaei says.

White House confirms addition of former lobbyist to Iran negotiations team: report

The White House confirms that Nick Stewart was added as an adviser to the team negotiating a deal to end the war with Iran, [CBS News](https://The White House has confirmed Nick Stewart was added as an adviser to the team negotiating a deal to end the war with Iran.

 "Nick Stewart is a sharp, seasoned policy expert who is a valuable asset to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s talented team," White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in a statement. "He brings a wealth of leadership and Iran policy experience to the role — from serving at the Department of State in the first Trump Administration and on Capitol Hill — and is a trusted voice as Special Envoy Witkoff works in lockstep with President Trump and his entire national security team to make a deal that is good for the United States and the world."

Stewart was brought on by Jared Kushner, U.S. officials told CBS News, and formerly worked for the lobbying arm of Foundation for the Defense of Democracy — a hawkish group known to have been very supportive of military action against Iran.) reports.

“Nick Stewart is a sharp, seasoned policy expert who is a valuable asset to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s talented team,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales has said in a statement.

“He brings a wealth of leadership and Iran policy experience to the role — from serving at the Department of State in the first Trump Administration and on Capitol Hill — and is a trusted voice as Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff works in lockstep with President [Donald] Trump and his entire national security team to make a deal that is good for the United States and the world.” PHOTOS: Foreign journalists visit damaged bridge in Iran's Karaj county

Foreign journalists visit damaged B1 bridge in Karajhttps://t.co/29cM188efG pic.twitter.com/Csy2GwM093

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) May 2, 2026

Iranian, Qatari FMs discuss ongoing negotiations in phone call: Qatari foreign ministry

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani have discussed the ongoing negotiations between Tehran and the US in a telephone call, according to Doha’s foreign ministry.

“During the call, His Excellency the Iranian foreign minister briefed His Excellency (Al-Thani) on the course of the ongoing negotiations and their developments, as well as the diplomatic momentum currently underway,” a statement from the ministry reads.

رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية @MBA_AlThani_ يتلقى اتصالًا هاتفيًا من وزير الخارجية الإيراني

الدوحة | 2 مايو 2026

تلقى معالي الشيخ محمد بن عبد الرحمن بن جاسم آل ثاني، رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية، اتصالًا هاتفيًا من سعادة السيد عباس عراقجي، وزير خارجية الجمهورية الإسلامية… pic.twitter.com/DKuhnuuEe8

— الخارجية القطرية (@MofaQatar_AR) May 2, 2026

It adds that the Qatari PM “affirmed the State of Qatar’s full support for mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through peaceful means, emphasising the need for all parties to engage with these efforts in a way that contributes to creating the appropriate conditions for progress in the negotiations and limits the possibilities of renewed escalation”.

Moreover, the importance of freedom of navigation was among the topics discussed, according to the Qatari foreign ministry.

Al-Thani, “stressed that freedom of navigation is a firmly established principle that admits no compromise, and that closing the Strait of Hormuz or using it as a pressure tactic would only deepen the crisis and expose the vital interests of the region’s countries to danger, noting the potential negative repercussions this could have on global energy and food supplies, as well as on market stability and supply chains”, the statement adds.

48 vessels redirected to 'ensure compliance' with US blockade: Centcom

US Central Command (Centcom) says that over the past 20 days, “48 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance” with the blockade of Iranian ports.

“USS New Orleans (LPD 18) sails in the Arabian Sea during the US blockade of Iranian ports on April 28,” Centcom says in a social media post on X.

USS New Orleans (LPD 18) sails in the Arabian Sea during the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, April 28. Over the past 20 days, 48 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with the blockade. pic.twitter.com/Zuj12vfFMw

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) May 2, 2026

Iran and France FMs discuss regional war developments

The foreign ministers of Iran and France had a phone call tonight, in which they discussed regional and international developments related to the US-Israel war on Iran, a statement released by Aragchi’s team said.

Foreign Minister @araghchi and his French counterpart @jnbarrot have discussed diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the US-Israeli war on Iran.https://t.co/JdLjYIu1so pic.twitter.com/UI7nnmuKUu

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) May 2, 2026

The Iranian foreign minister reportedly briefed his French counterpart on Iran’s strategic efforts to end the war, while Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, expressed France’s support for the ongoing diplomatic talks taking place, and expressed hope these would lead to lasting peace and security in the region.

 Trump administration fast-tracks $8b in arms sales to Middle Eastern countries

The Trump administration has fast-tracked billions of dollars in arms sales to Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, according to statements released by the US State Department, CNN reports.

Cumulatively, the weapons are valued at more than $8 billion. They include air-defense systems for Kuwait and Qatar, and laser-guided rockets for Qatar, the UAE and Israel.